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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Disney Channel's 2006 original made-for-tv film, took kidnation by storm and made overnight stars out of Zac Efron and Vannesa Anne Hudgens. It also spawned a humongously successful TV movie sequel (
High School Musical 2 (Extended Edition)
), and there's word that the third flick will be theatrically released. So what is it about HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL? It's sure cheesy enough and the plot couldn't be more on the beaten path. Well, for me, the movie's exuberance and the engaging leads are what sold it. Turns out I'm not so jaded that I can't be swayed and won over by youthful enthusiasm and energetic performances. And, yikes, this one's a musical.
The plot? During vacation, on New Year's Eve, basketball jock Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and the brilliant, bookish Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) meet at a teen party, forced to sing a karaoke duet together, and end up exchanging phone numbers. Then, for Troy, it's back to school at Albuquerque, New Mexico's East High.
But it turns out that Gabriella is East High School's newest student. So, a week after their duet, the two meet again and their interest in music and in each other is renewed. And there's a school winter musical looking for new blood. Do Troy and Gabriella sign up? Doing so would mean breaking out of their respective cliques and fracturing the school's status quo. Troy's with the jock crowd, with a big game in 2 weeks as the EHS Wildcats play for the championship. Gabriella is with the brainy set and expected to compete in the scholastic decathlon. As the song goes, as chorused overwhelmingly by the student body: "No, no, no - stick to the stuff you know." But, it turns out, what Troy and Gabriella know best is following their hearts. And singing.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is kid stuff, sure, served up with a bland, run-of-the-mill storyline, and with the usual messages of individuality and following your dreams wholesomely spoonfed to the audience. But it's all executed with a certain vitality and is so darn winning that even creaky, old dogs like me surrender under its spell. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is as family friendly as it gets, about as objectionable as a brown-eyed puppy. Efron and Hudgens are sweet together and are most assuredly the biggest reason for Disney's newest monster franchise. Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay) and Lucas Grabeel (Ryan) shouldn't be left out as their sister-brother act is darn sidesplitting.
And most of the songs are pretty catchy. Certainly, tons of fans have propelled the film's soundtrack to the Billboard chart stratosphere. I'll probably forget these tunes in a week or so, but for now, I've been at it nonstop, humming "Breaking Free," "Stick to the Status Quo," and "I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You." This last song, by the way, is busted out merrily by Efron, Hudgens, Tisdale, and Grabeel (who shows off his chops here) in the dvd's bonus music video.
I also like this movie for the fact that it came out of nowhere to become a phenomenon. The Disney Channel certainly didn't expect all this hubbub at first. But in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, we have star turning performances, unbridled, bubbly enthusiasm, and a certain generic charm - all combining to form this happy synergy. And, who knows, just maybe Walt Disney even gave his blessing from his cryogenic chamber. But there's simply no denying that this movie is a bonafide sensation and speedily becoming an unstoppable force. Me, well, color me a fan. And, to demonstrate solidarity, I'll echo the kids at East High: "Wildcats, everywhere!"
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Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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"What spell has this elevated I.Q. temptress girl cast that suddenly makes you want to be in a musical?"
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 30, 2007Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 25, 2006
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 6, 2022
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 3, 2022
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 31, 2006
Top reviews from other countries
Mr. R. I. Bird
High School Musical (or son of Grease)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 27, 2018Amazon Customer
A Joyous Celebration of Youth
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 27, 2015
Fiona
I can see the pleasure.......
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 28, 2011
sCrumbtious One
My son hadfun watching this film
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 6, 2022
